Tarrytown School

Tarrytown School Message

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:52:00 GMT

Hello Tarrytown Alums! I just received the following e-mail message today from Pearl Shapiro Karon. If you remember Pearl or would like to respond to her e-mail, please contact her at <a href="mailto:sunny5@minidisco.com">sunny5@minidisco.com</a> Best, Jim Bennett MESSAGE: I was a student at the school around 1948 or 1949. I would love to be in touch w. fellow students. Names I think I remember are Annette Brown, Francisco Hernandez, Jerry Tinati, Barbara Warden,Helen Oberman, Diane Danitelo,Mary Ann Russell, Alvero Alcosto, Terry something or other tall, very slim handsome dark haired boy. Are you in touch w. anyone from that time frame.? Most of these names were a year or so older than I was. My spelling is mostly guesswork. Thanks for getting in touch and I hope to hear from you. Pearl (Shapiro) Karon

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Message from Bob Krasnow

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 16:03:00 GMT

(NOTE: It appears that my mailing list is not working the way I wanted it to. Apparently it is not sending replies out to all members. If I am wrong about this - if you already received the following message from Bob, please tell me. Otherwise, I will be forwarding your messages, and that is okay with me. - Jim) Dear Jim and fellow Bernarr MacFadden students and children of students, I was so excited to receive your response Jim, and the response of others. I would greatly appreciate hearing from all of you and sharing memories. I am writing a memoir of my early life(4to 22) and the military school is where it all begins. Below are some of my memories. Please send me yours. My father,Wladimir Osepof Evanovich Krasnow was from the Russian Imperial Ballet and had been a famous dancer and choreographer in Europe. His father wa a General in the Czar's Army. The General of music. When he came to America after being the head choreographer of the Berlin Ballet he found here a limited love of the ballet and proceeded to open two dance studios. Into one came my mother to sign up her 10 year old daughter. She fell in love with the maestro and they married. One year later I was born. They fought for four years and after a royal battle in which both parents tried to throw the other out a fourth floor window(my mother was equally strong) the end of the marriage came and with it and my life in a two parent family. When I awoke in the morning all that remained of my mother was her two packed suitcases standing by the front door. She left without saying goodbye to me. My father the artiste did not know how or did not have the desire to raise me. Within a few short weeks of my mothers abandendment my father drove me from my Bronx apartment to Tarrytown. I remember going through the large metal gates and up the long winding hill to the main house of the Bernarr Macfadden Military School. Together we walked up the flight of stairs to the main door where Mrs Walden, who kind of looked like my mother, greeted us. My dad signed the papers then, as quickly as we entered, he was ready to leave. I was a frightened four year old going on five and tears ran down my face and didn't stop until the next day. My first stop was the dormitory, a large room with double decker beds. Every four beds separated by a wall. there was no door or closure in front of the beds. A dresser stood in between the two beds and that was shared by all four boys. Four kids to a room. Each child was given a Navy training rifle weighing five pounds. Call it a gun and you slept with it. A slight, pretty lady name Eloise McBride was in charge. Her room was down the hall. Her son Tommy was one of the boys. He was seven years old when I arrived. His dad, McBride's husband had died in the war. Her sister in law was the famous Mary Margaret McBride of Martha Dean radio and later TV fame. Eloise asked us to call her Mac and we did. The Captain was a man named Captain Beany and he lived at school with his wife Betty. Good people. Although after Beany came a Captain Cole, I remember hearing rumors of his dismissal for reasons I would not like to mention here since I am not sure they were true. School had good teachers and no homework. But after school was drill time. Drop your rifle and you slept with it. Talk out of turn and did guard duty of Saturday. Or I remember holding a rifle over my head until my arms dropped for laughing in ranks.Yes mam, yes sir, hold the door open for adults. Tough stuff for a five year old. Although ages ranged from five to twelve.Harry Smart, our Sargent, one of the older boys led the drill. After drill and one hour before dinner time we had free play. I can never get over calling play free. Play was unorganized and we ended up playing marbles or a game played with a small knife, called I declare war on---(name of a country) in a large field. I remember camping out on summer nights in this same field and sleigriding down a big hill next to this field. The hill I recall led to the infirmary and eventually a swimming pool that was installed around 1947. I remember Bernarr MacFadden visits to review his troops. We had to learn the military marching manual of arms. We practiced it so many times I could do it in my sleep. First put the rifle on your right shoulder, take your left hand palm out and place it in the center of the rifle the twirl the rifle around until the butt hits the ground as you drop to your left knee simultaneously. when all forty of us did it at the same time it looked sharp. Macfadden looked impressed. My father visited every Sunday, the official visiting day. Very few parents came to see their kids and we jammed many kids in our car to take them to Tarrytown for a spaghetti dinner. My best friend was Johnie Applegate. Johnie, myself and two other ran away from school in 1947. We got to town stole some candy and cigarettes and snuck in the Music Hall and watched the movie Casey at the Bat. When we returned after smoking 10 packs of cigarettes Captain Beany caught us and made us smoke a big, fat cigar. That was my last cigarette that I ever smoked. My mother came to visit when I was 12...I hadn't seen her for eight years. Mom,WHO? At twelve, Mac decided to leave school and marry a one legged butcher from Mahopac named Ed. I didn't stop crying for days. My dad came to the rescue and made a deal with Mac and her new husband and I left school to go and live with them... My precious housemother and her son Tommy. Please email with your memories. Did you know Mac, Tommy, Capt.Beany and Betty, Mrs Walden(who told scarry stories when the boys and girls got together for storytelling time)Johnie Applegate, Harry Smart(who I understand went on to West Point and fought in the Korean War and I believe was injured. Do you know if any of them are alive and where they are? Wow 65 years ago and the memories are alive as if they happened yesterday. Best to you all, Bob Krasnow <a href="mailto:splace@ix.netcom.com">splace@ix.netcom.com</a>

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History of the School

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 18:25:00 GMT

Thank you for the information attached. I was graduated June of 1948 and can confirm that the property did indeed become that if the Nigerian Consulate. My husband and I researched the area some years ago looking for 612 South Broadway which was it's address. In 1953 the law suit referred to was still an issue and probably the main reason the school folded. When I was home (Manhatten) one weekend (1948?) a female student walked out of one of the large French windows on the second floor at night. She fell to the terrace below and was seen in the morning out on the lawn. Her back was injured (broken?) and the school was sued. The school prevailed but the decision was appealed and another trial ensued. I was visited in CT. in the winter of 1954 by a lawyer for the school who did not realize that I had not been at school that weekend. As I recall the student body (co-ed) was about 90. The principle was a Mrs Mcbride, the Dean Judith Tracy. My graduating class numbered 11. I also recall McFadden delivering an address standing on his head. Daily vitamins were distributed. piano lessons were available as were horseback riding lessons. The buiding that housed the boys (also the stables) was known as the Lodge, the girls lived in the Main building and the Dean resided in a separate building down the roadway near Broadway. The pool was probably added in 1947. I am curious to know why in all that has been written about McFadden no mention was made of The Tarrytown Schools. I would love to hear more. Jean Chapman McRoberts

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E-mail Excerpts

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 15:48:00 GMT

Following is information about the Tarrytown school that various people have sent me: The school that you are talking about was a coeducational school and summer camp that was started in the 1930's for children 4 to 14 that promised to convert them from "emaciated, often unsocial-minded children, through well-balanced nourishing food, scientific physical training, good schooling, intelligently and individually administered, into clean-minded, sports-loving boys and girls and good citizens." Although I lived for 15 years just north of Tarrytown, I am sorry to say that I do not know where the school was located or anything about the property. If you find out the answer, please let me know. I'd love to find out. It was called the Bernarr McFadden Military Academy and was located in Tarrytown, NY. The man running this co-ed school was a "Captain Brownie". I was 12 years old when I started there, and spent a portion of the school year there from April till June of 1952, then went back in the Fall of 1952 and stayed until the following June of 1953. At the graduation, I was a member of the "crack" drill team, and after the graduation was completed we all lined-up and got to shake hands with Mr. McFadden. I remember his handshake and grip were formidable. The school went on for a couple of years more, I believe, but when I went back many years later, it was now some sore of social/camp and had no connection to the McFaddens. I went to that school in 1941 at the age of 5(1941) and was there for 8 years. As a child I recall the many visits that Macfadden made to the school. The hours of preperation to sharpen up our drilling skills and marching manual that he had laid out for our Captian. In the evening we performed a play by Irving Berlin. I was the lead singer and performed the Berlin tune Your in the army now ,your not behind the plow, your digging a ditch you son of a bitch your in the army now. and we were. Macfadden wanted us to go on to west Point and ran the school as a marine military school, with every kid carrying a 5lb. navy training rifle, call it a gun and you spept with it. I was just 8 at the time of the performance but I recall his big smile and loud applause. I am now writing a memoir on my childhood and would appreciate any info you have on his military school in Tarrytown NY I went there around 1953/54 when I was approximatly 8/9 years old . I have a little bit of information that I obtained from the Tarrytown Historical society, but it is very scanty--only an old map of the property as it was in 1900(pre MacFadden). I went there recently and hiked around a little but didn't find much left of the old camp. I think one of the main buildings that was there in 1953 may now be the one that is being used by the 'Nigeran embassy' ? I found what may be the remains of the swimming pool that was in use at the camp but surrounding structures that I remember don't seem to be there anymore so am not completly sure. The school folded in 1953 (?) as a resiult of a suit brought against the school due to an accident that occurred while I was a student. I recall BMF delivering an address at a commencement exercise while standing on his head. This was possibly 1945 or 46. I went to school there in 48 through 52 - a very good school I have info. I went to that school when I was five(1941-1948) and was there for seven years. I remember him coming to school to watch us drill. I have since visited the site and there are no remains of the school. I am writing amemoir of my early years and that school plays a big part in my life. When I was about 5 or 6 I attended a boarding school he established in Tarrytown, New york. This was not mentioned on your web site so I thought you would be interested. It was in a beautiful setting, and I have a picture of my father and myself in front of the school when McFadden came to visit. The school was called McFaddens and is mentioned in a book called History of the Tarrytowns by Jeff Canning and Wall Buxton. It is published by HarborHill Books, 1993. It says the school was on Sheldon Avenue in Irvington, the next town up from Tarrytown. The two or three years I spent there were very significant in my life. My brother (3 yrs older) was next door at a boys military school. I am very anxious to find out what happened to my school, and any of the other children who attended when I did. This would have been around 1949 -1951 or so. I would be very grateful for any help or advice you can give to me as to how to go about this. Several years ago I put an ad in the Tarrytown paper for info, but got no relevent responses. I would like to know whether the school is still there in some form, or even just the property. We heard it might of burned down, but in my picture it looks like it was an imposing stone bldg. We were also told it was near the Duchess of Talyrand estate. Could this be Lindhurst now? My husband and I drove around several streets and they have a familar feel. I remember a long drive going up. We were also told that it was used as a summer camp at one point. I would like see the location again before it succumbs to the development that is going on in that area. I would also like any ideas you have on finding any classmates that may still be around.

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Questions

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 22:26:00 GMT

(Mailing List Information, including unsubscription instructions, is located at the end of this message.) If you have any questions about the Tarrytown School, simply reply to this e-mail message. If you have any information to share, please include that also. Kind regards, Jim -- The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Tarrytown School Using the following email: example@example.com You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: <<a href="http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tarrytownsch&e=example@example.com&p=1234&gt">http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tarrytownsch&e=example@example.com&p=1234&gt</a>; If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen: <<a href="http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=list&l=tarrytownsch&gt">http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=list&l=tarrytownsch&gt</a>; If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: <<a href="mailto:tarrytownsch@bernarrmacfadden.com&gt">mailto:tarrytownsch@bernarrmacfadden.com&gt</a>; The following physical address is associated with this mailing list: 592 Smiley Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio

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CORRECTION: Tarrytown School Message

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 21:54:00 GMT

(Mailing List Information, including unsubscription instructions, is located at the end of this message.) CORRECTION If you would like to communicate to the other people on this mailing list, please reply to THIS E-MAIL not to my previous e-mail. I apologize for my mistake. Jim Bennett -- The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Tarrytown School Using the following email: example@example.com You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: <<a href="http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tarrytownsch&e=example@example.com&p=1234&gt">http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tarrytownsch&e=example@example.com&p=1234&gt</a>; If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen: <<a href="http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=list&l=tarrytownsch&gt">http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=list&l=tarrytownsch&gt</a>; If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: <<a href="mailto:tarrytownsch@bernarrmacfadden.com&gt">mailto:tarrytownsch@bernarrmacfadden.com&gt</a>; The following physical address is associated with this mailing list: 592 Smiley Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio

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Tarrytown School

Sat, 24 Jun 2006 21:44:00 GMT

(Mailing List Information, including unsubscription instructions, is located at the end of this message.) Hello again, The reason I am sending you this e-mail message is in response to your inquiry about Bernarr Macfadden's school in Tarrytown, NY. Within the past 3 years, six people have asked me for information about the school. Four were students, and two are children of students. You are one of the six people. I have set up a mailing list which includes you and the others so you can communicate with each other, and hopefully, by sharing the information each of you has, help everyone else. To participate, all you have to do is send a reply to this message. Everyone on the list will automatically get a copy of your e-mail. I wanted you to be able to contact each other, but, at the same time, I did not want to publish your name or e-mail address without your permission. Your e-mail address is hidden. The only time anyone else in the group will see your e-mail address is when you send a message. Also, you may remove yourself from this list at any time you want. I hope this is helpful to all of you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me using the address under my name. Kind regards, Jim Bennett <a href="mailto:jim@bernarrmacfadden.com">jim@bernarrmacfadden.com</a> ****Click the link below ONLY if you want to be removed!**** -- The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to the following list: Tarrytown School Using the following email: example@example.com You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL: <<a href="http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tarrytownsch&e=example@example.com&p=1234&gt">http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=u&l=tarrytownsch&e=example@example.com&p=1234&gt</a>; If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address. Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism. You may also change your subscription by visiting this list's main screen: <<a href="http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=list&l=tarrytownsch&gt">http://riverflow.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?f=list&l=tarrytownsch&gt</a>; If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: <<a href="mailto:jim@bernarrmacfadden.com&gt">mailto:jim@bernarrmacfadden.com&gt</a>; The following physical address is associated with this mailing list: 592 Smiley Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio

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